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(More customer reviews)So we cannot carry on trade without war, nor war without trade.
Sound familiar?
These are words expressed in a letter by Jan Pieterszzon Coen, who had assumed command of the Dutch East India Company(VOC), the first great global corporation, in 1622, to the company's governing "Council of Seventeen". This, his long-held conviction: violent force was necessary for profitability, would soon be put into action, sheding any pretence, that the corporation's true business practices would be peaceful. When these violent actions were called into question he fired back to the Council/...I swear that no enemies do our cause more harm than ignorance and stupidity existing among you, gentlemen! This he wrote to his superiors!
Needless to say Stephen R. Bown has found, not only a rousing tale to tell, but one that runs parallel today's ongoing wave of globalization. Indeed, Mark Twian's/History may not repeat itself, but it damn sure rhymes - was a continuing backdrop theme for me as the author's pages seamlessly turned. The simularities are striking, and quite frankly, frightening.
He tells the story of six Merchat Kings and the companies they commanded: Dutch East India Copany, Dutch West India Company, English East India Company, Russian American Company, Hudson Bay Company and the British South Africa Company. A story of how these companies ruled the world, that foreshadow today's transnational corporations.
I envy the reader, as he or she travels back with the Merchant Kings for the first time, even as stark backdrop echoes of an ever reverberabing present/future tense, put one on edge.
An extremely entertaining read and as important.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!!!
P.S. For those wanting to continue with a Globalization/Exploitation (201) please read: Gods of Money/Wall Street and the Death of the American Century by F. William Engdahl.
Unlike the British Empire, which was based on military conquest and direct possesion of colonies, the American version of global domination was based on financial conquest and economic possession. It was complexly layered by refinement, one which allowed US corporate giants to veil their interests behind the flag of 'democracy and political rights' for 'oppressed colonial peoples,' support of 'free enterprise' and 'open markets'. These were the policies reflected by the Council on Foreign Relations task force, and they were antything but democratic. It represented the interests of an elite handful of American banks and industrial corporations that had developed global interests. The businessmen and their law firms were a breed apart from the rest of Americans, an oligarchy to themselves, an aristrocracy of power and money.
Not recommended for the feint of heart, or the dolled-up in red, white, & blue.
P.P.S. Exploitation 301 google: jim fetzer podcast. go to Friday, August 19 2011 Leuren Moret 1:36:28 clicks in, to 1:41:28 clicks in.
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Merchant Kings: When Companies Ruled the World, 1600--1900
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